lofgren



Aug. 20, 1929. 1 QFGREN 1,725,535

ELECTRIC SWITCH Filed Feb. 14, 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet l www El? Aug. 20, 1929. J. LOFGREN ELECTRIC SWITCH Filed Feb. 14. 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIDE 7- @NNN tink lst

Patented ug. 20, 1929.

Ul\-ii'i.`ED STATES PATENT orifice.l

JOHN LOFGBEN, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNORTO RALCO MANUFACTURING COM- PANY, OF CHCAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF`\ILLINOIS. l

ELECTRIC SWITCH. i r

Application filed February 14, 192.8. /SerialvNo.`254i,2i3-. v

My invention relates to electric switches and more particularly to such a switch adapted for use in the engineers cab of a locomotive, although .its installation in other 5 places is contemplated.

OneI of the objects of my invention resides in providingl an extremely rugged and strong switch which is atthe same time compactly arranged for controlling not only l0 the front and rear head lights of the locomotive but also the engineers light located in the cab and more commonly known as an order lamp.` i

Still another object of my invention resides in providing such a switch mechanism wherein the switch for controlling the engineers light or order lamp is vmounteddirectly within the same housing which encloses the switch contacts for the head lights ofthc locomotive whereby pronounced compactness in construction, convenience in operation and assembly of parts, and ruggedness and water-proof qualities for the switch are secured.

Still another object of my invention resides in providing such a switch with an insulating block carrying a pluarlity of notches at its periphery adapted to receive radially and inwardly extending stationary contacts for cooperation with a centrally' disposed rotor and which notches are so arranged in spaced apart relation and are of greater number than the stationary contacts used so that various arrangements or groupings ot these contacts with relation to the rotor may be availed of whereby to secure various hook-ups or \\'irings or combinations of the illumination of the various lamps and this construction includes an arrangement whereby certain of these notches aroused for the detachable insertion of auxiliary contacts adapted to cooperate with the engineer-s lamp switch mounted on the housing whereby pronounced compactness and facil- 5 ity of arrangement and assembly ot'parts is secured. An ancillary object of this feature of my invention resides in the arrangement of both inwardly extending contact fingersI for cooperation. with the switch rotor :and also'th'ese auxiliary c'ntacts for cooperation with theengineers lampA 'switch in certain of vtliesespaeed apartnotches on the insulatingl member withinthe housing whereby `the single block 'ofi insulation forms a common base for both setsl ofl switches and whereby a single 'liusin'g'encloses and .supports the operating member'of the rotor and also the erigineers lamp' switch. 'A

Yet another object'of my invention resides in the details of 'construction wherein the engineers' lamp'switchl may be readily installed on my prior existingswitches which do not have this 'auxiliary"switch, simply boringA or forming` a'ifhole at a proper place =in the h'ousingand trstening' the movable memberuof theengineerls lamp switch thereto .so tliat'the portionithereofwhich projectsv intothe hou'singjlis in position to cooperate with detachableconta'ct clipsinsertable in certainl 0f. the Idiotches on the insulationA block riiyifo'ririer 'switch construction E whereby convenience and 'economy in assembly andconstruction; and operation is securedxVAA`4` f 'l A l These and other objects .of myhin'vention will be apparent from aperusal ofthe following specification when taken in connection with' the 4accompanying drawings wherein:

Figure 1 is a front view of my improved switch with the cover secured in position;

' Figure 2 is a plan view with the cover removed;

Figui-e3 is a section on line 3-3vof Fign re 2; l

Figure 4 is a. modified installationl of the device shown in Figure2;

Figure 5 is a section on line 5 5 of Figure 4; y

` Figure 6 isa diagrammatic view of the wiring diagraiir used in. connection With the construction shown in Figures Q'and 3 and shtwing only .one position of the switch; an

Figures l to l2 inclusive are diagrammatic charts showing various positions of the switch mechanism shown in Figures 3 and 4.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, the improved type of switch shown generally in the figures is illustrated and described and claimed in Lmy prior Patent No. 1,648,-

022, of November 8th, 1927 and for which an application for re-issue has been tiled January 27th, 1928, Serial No. 250,026. In :the

former patent the engiueeifs lampor Ordervlamp hereinafter described, is 4not disclosed." Otherwise the construetioniof fthe other ,por-.

tions of the switcliarelidentical.

As set forth' in my v former 1,648,022, my switch eoinprises .a relativelyv small and preferably castl iroiih'ousinglO having opposed laterallyextendinglugs 12 and 14 fromits opposite isides which lugs .are provided with threaded openingsfl for .the

attachment. ofconduit containing 18. forming a part ofthe electrical circuit. In.y addition, the upper flat Wall of the housing' is provided with east iron lugs 20`Ito which may be detaehably secured the usual resist-A ance bracket, well known in lthis type of switch. In addition, the basal portion o'f-tlie housing is provided with Aa relatively .Hat

lla-nge 22 extending laterally o n -each side; thereof and formed with bolt ,orscrew openings 24` so that the housing may b e' se v curely bolted to a convenient bracketwith? in the cab of the locomotive. '.Iii general', it

easily and quickly replaced., Furthermore,

due to the fact that the operators in washing the cabs generally turn the waslrupon the interior of the. cab, it is absolutely necessary that these switches be iliade water-tight. In niy present invention I have provided a construction einbodying allot' these advantages and in addition I have provided a construction, theesseiitial virtue of which residesin the arrangement Ao f t l i e. liereto fore inentionedseparate switch for the order lamp or engineer-s lanip directly upon and within the housing of the inain portion of the switch whereby suoli housing not only supports hoth operating switches and enclosestliein but in the present instance, I. prcferabl utilize the insulation block which holds'tlie contact-s of the main rotor switch for also mounting the auxiliary contact-s of the order lamp switch and in a manner such that the system of notches and stationary contacts on the former are availed of tor mounting` the latter contacts, all as l'iereinattcr described. A

The housing is provided with an upstanding [lange` 26 pietrably of rounded formation at the side opposite to which the lugs are secured and I mount within the housing formedby the :flange 26, a preferably1 circular and preferably one piece block of linsulation formed so as to provide an lupstanding peripheral fiange 28 and a con .centricall .iyithiui,countersunk portion 30 of the. liousing, lt soA tliattlie insulating.

block 28 is securely and detachablylinount ed within the housing.. :The other notches 32 are. not as deep as.the notches 38 but they vnia-y baas. deepjfif desired. These notches.32 arespaced apart .about the periphery of the:-blocl{.and in a manner so as to receive. inwardly ,extending-stationary contact.A st i1ips ..42, preferably.. formed. of' strips of. conducting material and-the number.of notches. is preferablygreater than the number vof contactstrips v42 that are used so that various combinations for the different. lighting. circuits inay be arranged, since the. coiitact..stri ps 4 2 zhave .also parallel sidesthatsnugly fitiwithinthe notches 32 and may. be =held in suoli posit-ion by means of. a single binding post 44 which passes throught-he insulating base.

At one portion of the arcuate periphery of the insulating .block 28, Ilocatie two of the notches v32 .inspaced relation and on `opposite sides of one of the deeper not-ches 38. '.lhis arrangement is shown clearly in Figures v 2 and 3. of. the drawings. This pair of notches is italica-ted 1m32. ou the drawings. .These t\\o.not ..-hes 32. are arranged in the general .organization and arrangement of the other .notches 32 so that when the stationary contact. strips aie mounted therein and in other of the notches-32 various arrangements oit the head light., including the front and rear head' lights of the locomotive, may be availed ot when the rotor is turned. r1`his rotor 46 includes upper and lower sector like'sheet metal contacts 48 which are spaced apart so as to wipingty engage on the upper and lower faces of the inwardly extending stationary contacts 42 and the rotor has connected thereto an iiilll) llt

sulating member, preferably an upstanding block 5t), adapted to be embraced by forked extensions ot a turning handle 52 mounted on the cover 54- of the housing which cover is dctachably connected to the housing by means ot screws 5G passing through threaded openings 58 in the housing. As explained in my prior patent. the axis of this handle 52 is in direct line with the axis ot' rotation of the rotor 46 and it detachably connects with the insulation blocks 5() so that when the cover 54 is removed, the clutching connection between the handle and the rotor will likewise be disconnected. The details oi the construction ot this handle and rotor are claimed in my prior patent and in the re-issue application thereof.

ln the construction shown i'n Figures 2 and 3 of the drawings, the important Jfeature of my present invention resides in mounting the engineefs lamp or order lamp, directly upon the housing 1t) and in a imanner such that its operable member may make and break contact with certain stationary contacts mounted within the housing and preferably mounted directly upon the insulation block 28 and prete ably mounted directly within certain ot' the notches of this insulation block. 'The details of construction ot this switch are set torth and claimed in my pending applicaH tion` No. 66,141, filed November 2, 1925, but the manner in which this switch cooperates with the housing 1l) and particularly the manner with which it cooperates with the main rotary switch within the housing and the insulating member 28 therein, and particularly the notches therein such as 32', Ytorms the subject matter of my present invention herein since the same was not disclosed in my prior pending application 66,141. ln general, the switch comprises a housing (it) of substantially cylindrical form having relatively flat substantially curved and opipositely extending wings 62 and 64 which are bored to receive. screws (i6 engaging the curved wall (38 of the housing. The housingl (i8 is bored intermediate the screw openings to receive, therethrough a shaft 70 ot' the turnable member of the switch and this shaft 70 as shown in my application 6G,- 111, is usually connected to a turning handle 72 carrying an integral locking collar or lugs 74 adapted to cooperate with correspondingly shaped locking lugs 76 on the barrel portion (it) of the switch so that Whenever the handle T2 is turned it may be held in turned position. As shown in Figure 3 of my prior pending application 66,141, the inner end ot the shaft, 7() carries a plurality of washer-like contact elements 7 8 ot insulation and a centrally disposed bridging element St) ot conducting material. The insulation elements 78 are wider than the bridging element 80 in one of their planes of rotation whereas the bridging element 8() is wider than the insulating washers -in another plane oi. rotation so that in the position shown in Figure 2 the wider part of the insulating vasher 78 will rest in contact with the spaced apart contact clips hereinatter described whereas the outer portions 82 ot' the bridging element will be out ot' contact but when the switch handle T2 is turned. the narrower portions of the ,insulating washer 78 will be brought opposite the contact c'lips and the wider portion 841 ot the bridging element will come opposite the contact clips so as to make contact thereacross or as shown in Figure 4 of my prior pending application. i

The contact clips hereinbefore mentioned comprise resiliei'lt metal contacts 8G and 88 having angular disposed basal portions 9() fitting snugly and lying within the notches C52 and these portions 9() have adjoining angular-ly bent portions 92 adapted to overlie the upper face ot' the tlange 28 and thence to extend upwardly in spaced apart relation. These strips 9() are perforated so as to receive therethrough the binding posts 94 which are held in place by the usual nuts 96 and lock nashers 98 so as to provide pern'ianent leads to the wiring system. As shown in the diagram` these clips 88 are connected by means ot' wires 9() and 92 to the engineers light and to an arcuate strip 94 which connects both to a stationary strip 42 and to one terminal ot' the generator by means of a wire 96. The other terminal of the generator connects by means of an appropriate wire 98, by means o'tl a comnion wire l0() to the other terminal ot the engineers light 102, a terminal of the rear head light 101, and a terminal of the front head light 10G, all as shown in Figure t. The other terminal o'l' the rear head light connects by means of a wire 10S to one of the stationary contact strips 12 and the other terminal of the 'l'ront head light connects by means ot' a wire 112 to another one ot' the stationary strips 42.

In certain instalhitions, for instance for engines using 251) watt head light globes, l provide additional wiring setups or arrangements by using the notches 32 l'or two sets ol contact strips. For instance, in the installation shown in Figures t and 5 and shown by charts in Figures 7 to 12 inclusive, various :nlditional wirine` diagrams and arrangements may be etlected. In this instance, the notches 32 are used for mounting therein both the contact clips SG and 88 and also the stationary contact strips 42. This is accomliilished by mounting therebetween an appropriate insulation member 114 and by using the common binding post 11G for holding these clips in position as hercintofore described.

1n this instance, separate leadsl ltit) llt) trom the clips 88 and from the stationary contacts 42 are used to the wiring diagram as will be clearly shown in Charts T to 12 inelusive. The charts are self explanatory since the heavy lincs illustrate those which are catying the current and from this chart it will be seen that a number ot vcry convenient arrangement-s may be secured. In these charts the relatively thin lines illus irate circuits in which no current is flowing; the relatively' heavy lines indicate circuits in which 8; volt current is llowing; and thc dotted heavy lilies indicate circuits in which ttl volt current is flowing. Vt'ith regard to Figure ti, it will be undcrstoot'l of course. that :rt least six ditlicrent arrangements of the stationary contact strips 42 and the rotor may hc secured` correst'ronding to positions whertx no lights are burning, where thc cngineer`s tight is burning` where` the t'ront head light is burning dim, where the trout head light is burning bright, where the rear head light is burning dim. and where thel rear head light is burning bright.

From the foregoing. it will be seen that l have provided a very in'iproved constructitm ol head light switch, wl'iercin the common housing is formed with a bore or opening and carries a bracket or brit'lgc on its outer surface upon which mounted the turnable mcinbcr otl the enginecfs lamp switch and the inner end of this turnable member is ar ranged -so as to cooperate with stationanty clips carried by an insulation member within the housing and preferably by the common insulation member upon which the rotor and its stationary contact elements are mounted. ln particular, by my present construction, I am enabled to utilize the arrangement oll notches in which the stationary contacts are mounted, to also seat the contact clips for the enginccfs lamp and I am also enabled b v my construction to utilize common notches t'or seating both the clips andthe stationary contacts and to hohl thcm in position by means ot' a common binding post through the agency ol a suitable disposition ofthe insulating material between the ditl'ercnt clips, there being .separate leads t'rom the separate sets of contacts. It will be further apil'wreciatcd that this present arrangement permits thc conversion ot such switches which have notr heretofore been provided with switches for engineer-s lamps in a very simple manner and this by boring the opening in the housing and attaching the bracket portion (32 thereto. From this construction, it will he seen that I provide a compact switch wherein both oi the switches are housed in a waterproof and very rugged manner and which construction permits of the ready replacement of parts of the separate switches without damaging either or any of the switch parts.

Having thus described my invention, what l claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

l. In a locomotive head light switch, the combination of a housing, insulating means thcrcin having stationary contacts arranged to extend inwardly about a common center. a rotor turnably mounted about said common center and adapted to electrically connectthe various combinations of said contacts for illun'iinating the head lights and an auxiliary switch for illuminating the cngincers lamp, said switch being mounted directly on said housing and having a shittablc portion eX- tcnding through the wall o'l' the housing and adapted to make and break contact with con tacts mounted within and insulated from said housing.`

2. A combined locomotive head light #witch and cngineci"s lamp switch comprising a common housing adapted to receive a mounting ot insulation carrying stationary contacts arranged about a common center, a rotor in said housing adapted to make and hrcah different arrangements of said oontacts. a pair ot auxiliary switch contacts mounted on said insulation, and an auxiliary sw itch mounted on said housing and having a shiftable member passing through the walls thereof and adapted to cooperate with certain ot' the contacts on the insulation member.

3. ln a device of the class described, the combination ot." a housing, a block of insulation therein having an tip-standing flange provided with radially extending notches, an auxiliary switch mounted on said housing and having a shittable member extending radially of the insulation block and intermediatc two of the notches on said insulation block, contact clips mounted in said spaced apart notches and a contacty member carried on the inner end ot: said switch adapted to make and break contact with said contact strips, and a rotor adapted to contact with said stationary contact strips.

4. ln a device otl the class described, the combination ot a housing, a circular block of insulation mounted therein and provided with aA peripheral upstanding flange formed with radially extending spaced apart notches, a plurality of Hat contact strips mounted in said notches, said notches being of greater number than said strips, said upstanding flange toi-ming a pcripherally counter-sunk well, a rotor mounted in said well and adapted to make and break contact with said contact strips, an auxiliary switch mounted in said casing and having a shittable portion extending therethrough and over the upstanding notched flange of the insulation block and provided With a bridging element said upstanding flange having a pair of notches disposed at an equal distance on pllt) posite sides of said bridging element and a contact strip mounted in each ot said notches and arranged to be engaged by said bridging element.

5. In a device of the class described, the combination ot'a housing, an insulation member therein having a plurality of notches disposed about a common center, certain of said notches having inwardly and radially extending contact strips located therein, a rotor mounted about the common center ot said contact strips to matie and brealiv connection with said strips, an auxiliary switch carried by said housing and ha ving the movable portion passing through the wall thereot providcd with a contact member on its inner end, certain of the contact notches ot' said insulation blocli being disposed adjacent to the inner cnd ot said auxiliary switch and auxiliary contact members mounted in said notches and adapted to cooperate with the Incmbcr on the inner end ot said switch.

o. ln a dcvice ol the class described, the combination ot a housing, an insulation member therein having radially extending notches spaced apart about a common center, a rotor turnably mounted about said common center, contact strips in certain ol' said notches tor engagement with said rotor, an auxiliary switch including a shit'table member carried by said housing and having a portion carrying a contact disposed within said housing, said insulation member having a pair ol' spaced apart notches disposed on opposite sides olt the inner end ot the shittable member of said rotary switch, additional contact strips mounted in said pair olA notches and adapted to be contacted with said rotor, insulation means also in said pair ol' notches and auxiliary switch contact strips also in said notches and adapted to be contacted by the contact member ol the shittable portion ot said auxiliary switch and a binding post adapted to hold respective contacts in said notches.

7. [n a device otl the class described, the combination ol' a housing, a circular block oll insulation in said housing and having an upstanding tlangc provided with :elimccd apart radially extending notches having parallel side walls, contact strips mounted in certain ol said side walls and secured tliert` in by a single binding post, said contact strips having parallel sides snugly titting in said notches, an auxiliary switch mounted on said housing and having an actuatable porA tion passing through the wall thereotradially oi' said insulation block and carrying a contact bridge, said insulation bloclir having two of said notches arranged in spaced apart relation on each side ot the bridging` member and resilient contact strips having basal portions mounted in each of said pair ot' notches and provided with angular bends therein over-lying the peripheral flange adjacent the notches, with the free edges of said strips extending upwardly on each side of the bridging member whereby on movement ot' the actuatable member of said auxiliary switch, said contacts may be made or broken.

8. In a device ot the -class described, the combination of a housing, an insulation block mounted therein and having an upstanding tiange provided with a plurality of spaced apart radially extending notches having parallel side walls, a rotor mounted in the common axis ot said notches, a plurality ot sta tionary contacts mounted in certain ot said notches and adapted to be engaged by the rotor, an auxiliary switch carried by the housing and having an actuatablc portion extending therethrough and carrying a contacting bridge normally located adjacent tht` notched tlange ot the insulation member, said notched llange having a pair of notches, one each being disposed on each side ot the bridging member, a resilient sheet metal clip having a basal portion snugly fitting in the notches and having an upward bend and a lateral bend over-lying the adjacent top portion of the flange and having an upstanding extension ot resilient character whereby to provide resilient spaced apart contacts lying on each side ol the bridging member and a binding post passing through the basal p0rtion ot each of said contact members and through the notch in the insulating block to hold the same in position.

t). ln a device ot' the class described,the combination ot a housing, an insulation block therein, said block having an upstanding tlange provided with laterally extending notches in spaced apart relation about a common center, a rotor mounted in said coinmon center for contact with stationary strips mounted in certain of said notches, an auxiliary switch carrieel by said housing and having a rotatable member extending over the upstanding tiange ot' said insulation block and provided vith an insulating member and an adjacent bridging member, said members having portions ot' varied diameters angularly disposed with respect to each other, said opstanding flange of the insulation member having a pair of notches, one lying on each side ot the inner end of the actuatable member of the auxiliary switch, said notches having parallel sides, and spring clips, each clip having a basal portion snugly fitting in the notch and having a lateral portion forming an upstantling resilient linger, binding posts passing through the basal portion ol' the clip and tl'irough the insulation member to hold the clip in place, the arrangement being such that on rotation of said auxiliary switch, said bridgingmember willbe brought into and out of contact with the opposed resilient clips.

1U. in a device et the class described, the

'Ill

lot)

mmbination of a housing` carrying a block of insulation having inwardly extending stationary contacts, a rotor adapted to make and break Contact therewith, said easing being constructed and arranged to provide a hole, a bracket carrying a shaft passing` through said hole, said bracket being at tached by means of screws to the outer portion of said easing, said bracket having a looking means and the handle ol said shaft having Cooperative locking means, said shaft carrying a bridging element on its inner end and Contact clips carried by said insulation block adapted to be made and broken by movement of said shaft.

In witness whereof, 1 have hereunto sub scribed my name.

JOHN LOFGREN. 

